[Electric Coach]

Jimbo,

When I am involved with newcomers, I keep them away from certain equipment. I don’t allow them to tweak new bases. I allow them to tweak a used based that I know will never play for me. I allow them to paint on some of my old figures that I use solely for testing paint and I give them a bottle of paint that is almost empty.

During a scrimmage, I allow them to use one of my game time teams, but they are not allowed to switch bases among the players. I do allow them to turn the dial on the TTC bases. If they want to throw, I allow them to point and touch the receiver of their choice for a completion. I never allow them to use the TTQB and now the TDQ unless they show me something special. So far, I have only met one newcomer who has ever done that.

Of course, I use all of my equipment for demonstration purposes. When the newbie ask why they aren’t allowed to use the TTQB, I simply tell them that they aren’t ready. I try to keep the newbie focused on the players moving on the table.

Most newcomers that I have encountered are heavy handed and clumsy. They reach for and grab the figures using all five fingers instead of two. Sometimes they use both hands to handle one figure. Some gaze upon the game table with a look as if they are overwhelmed. Then there are the newcomers who are over excited. They tend to take on too much too fast. They are so impatient; they won’t allow time for anything to sink in.

Basically, newcomers must be supervised. The best newcomers are those who touch nothing until they are told to do so. They are patient; in that, they try to understand what is going on before moving to the next thing.

Maurice

The Electric Coach